NeighborCircles

NeighborCircles is a tool that connects neighbors to each other and to important issues. It helps to address the question, “How well do you know your neighbors?”

NeighborCircles consist of a series of three facilitated dinners of 8–10 neighbors at the home of a host who welcomes us to join them for good food and conversation. A trained facilitator manages the conversations and a representative of CND is there to provide assistance.

Participants get to know each other. They talk about the neighborhood and Chelsea and decide if there is something they can do together to help improve the community.

A NeighborCircle is successful if two neighbors meet for the first time or get to know each other better. If a group decides that they want to continue meeting CND will be happy to facilitate more meetings. If the group decides to take on a community issue CND will support them in their efforts both monetarily and programmatically.

A NeighborCircle that decides to take action has the opportunity to become working members of Chelsea Neighborhood Developers and meet regularly as a group. They will continue to work towards the neighborhood they envision. A circle can lead to a number of things including: problem areas like trash problems, graffiti and gangs; neighborhood action like block clean ups and neighborhood watch groups; and community building events like block parties and trainings.